Interpreting Historical Sequences Using Economic Models: War, Secession and Tranquility

This Palgrave Pivot presents theoretical models that explain common historical sequences, such as wars of secession, the rise and fall of empires, and international war. The book uses a rational choice model to frame the incentives of specific groups coming together in a polity or leaving it. These incentives are then set in a theoretical framework to determine the outcome—unity or secession, peace or war—and are demonstrated through historical examples. The book provides two longer case st...